In the fall of 1998, the government approved a new probation and parole service. These services will be provided by dedicated community probation workers employed by the Department of Justice.

This project is proceeding in three phases. The first phase involved the transition of providing service within the Beaufort-Delta region. This has been concluded with the hiring of five probation officers. Four had previously performed probation supervision while employed by the Inuvik Health Board. All of these were appointed to these new positions. Three of these positions are located in Inuvik and the fourth is located Tuktoyaktuk, The fifth probation officer was selected by competition and is located in Fort McPherson. Three probation officers have P1 affirmative action status and two have P3 status.

The second phase is ongoing and involves establishing the probation service in the Sahtu and Yellowknife regions. Within the Sahtu, a probation officer was appointed and is located in Deline. That individual had worked for the Sahtu Health Board providing probation supervision and has P1 status. A competition held for another position within Fort Good Hope is currently under appeal.

Within the Yellowknife area, four positions have been staffed. Three were staffed by competition, and the fourth holds the position as a casual employee. Of these, all had worked with the government previously. One had P1 status, two had P2 status and one had P3 status. Results of a competition for one position within Yellowknife is currently under appeal.

Phase two will be complete once the appeals affecting the competitions for the position in Yellowknife and Fort Good Hope are concluded.

All ten probation workers hired under Phase one and two have just finished a two week intensive training program on the provision of community probation services.

Phase three of this project includes hiring probation officers within Rae-Edzo and the South Slave Region. This will include two probation workers hired in Rae-Edzo and another in Lutsel K'e. It is expected that these positions will be staffed by July 2000.

There will be one supervisor and two probation officers within Hay River to service that community as well as Fort Resolution and Fort Providence. The supervisor will also oversee the work of probation officers in all South Slave. Another probation officer will be hired for Fort Smith. That officer will provide service in that community and any excess caseload in Hay River. These positions should be filled by August 2000.

Two probation officers will be located in Fort Simpson to service that community, Jean Marie River, Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte, Trout Lake and Wrigley. These officers may also assist with an excess caseload in Fort Providence. These positions are expected to be filled by October 2000.

By April 2001, it is anticipated that all community health board employees providing these services in communities will be replaced by dedicated probation officers employed by the Department of Justice.